Parks Canada to continue operating hot springs

The federal minister responsible for Parks Canada has stopped plans to look for a private operator for three hot springs facilities in Canada’s national parks.

Catherine McKenna says the decision will ensure Canadians have access to the hot springs at the Banff Upper hot springs, Radium and Miette in Jasper.

In the budget in 2008, the Conservatives asked Parks Canada to find a private operator for the three hot springs facilities but in a release Friday, the government says it’s in the best interest of Canadians for Parks Canada to maintain operational responsibility.

More than 800,000 Canadians and international visitors use the national park hot springs each year.